Expect a big year from Tiger Woods in 2013, including a major title. / Brian Spurlock, USA TODAY Sports

by Steve DiMeglio, USA TODAY Sports

by Steve DiMeglio, USA TODAY Sports

Tiger Woods says he's as healthy as he's been in years, his surgically repaired left knee standing up strong throughout 2012. He ended his winless streak on the PGA Tour with three wins in 2012, although he faded from contention on the weekends in the four majors. And he says his short game was coming around toward the end of the season.

So, look out, folks.

With more work improving the swing that he and coach Sean Foley are targeting (Foley said after Woods won the 2012 Arnold Palmer Invitational that the two were only 50% toward the ultimate goal), and with more work on his short game (because he won't have to spend as much time on the other parts of his swing), Woods will once again be in contention in nearly every tournament he plays.

Expect him to add a major to his total of 14 and move one step closer toward Jack Nicklaus (it will be at the Masters where he adds a fifth green jacket to his closet).

He'll add at least two other victories to his 74 PGA Tour titles, inching closer to Sam Snead's all-time record of 82 (think Torrey Pines, Memorial, Bay Hill and Firestone). That is, if his left knee - and his back and any other physical ailment that might pop up - doesn't act up. If they don't, Woods' act in 2013 will be a pretty good one to watch.

What will Phil do?

Phil Mickelson will continue making birdies from under trees, out of ankle-high rough and from 60 feet on the greens. He'll keep smiling no matter what, he'll keep signing autographs no matter what and he'll keep putting himself on the first page of the leaderboard no matter what.

Will he win his fifth major? He'll be right there in at least two of them.

Will he add to his victory total on the PGA Tour, which now stands at 40 as he turns 43 this summer? Yes, as he adds to his already World Golf Hall of Fame résumé. Will he contend for the player of the year award, or the money title - two accolades that he has yet to achieve? We'll see.

What will Rory do?

Rory McIlroy will keep visiting famous landmarks the world over with tennis star Caroline Wozniacki (maybe the Grand Canyon and the Great Wall of China in 2013) and enjoy life off the course, which brought him ridicule from the tabloids across the pond during a midsummer slump.

But, in testament to his character despite his age (he'll turn 24 in May), the Boy Wonder waltzed to an eight-shot victory at the PGA Championship (his second major title), then won two FedExCup playoff events and locked down money titles on the PGA Tour and the European Tour. He's No. 1 in the world, and he'll stay there, holding off Tiger Woods for 12 months.

He'll add a major to his total and at least two other titles. (Which major will McIlroy win? Stay tuned. That is coming in our Who wins the majors in 2013 predictions.)

But he'll enter 2014 with a slimmer lead in the world rankings than he'll have entering 2013.

He'll adapt even more to the courses he's playing, the travel he's enduring, the tabloids he won't reading but will be hearing about, and enjoying the life he's worked so hard for - so look out in 2014 and beyond.

What will Yani do?

Raise your 9-iron if you think Yani Tseng, a winner of 15 LPGA titles and five majors at age 24 (she celebrate her birthday in January), will go winless like she did the last eight months of 2012? Yep, didn't think so.

Tseng won't win 12 worldwide titles like she did in 2011, but she's going to add to her major total and win enough times to earn the points she needs to gain entry to the World Golf Hall of Fame (although she'll have to wait a few prerequisite years until her plaque is made to officially be inducted).

After winning three of the first five LPGA events in 2012, she fell flat the rest of the year as she wrestled with mental lapses, confidence and a poor putter. An offseason of fun and games and hard work will get her back on track. As she said at the end of 2012, she's still No. 1. She'll stay there in 2013.

What will Bubba do?

Bubba Watson bought the General Lee last year and won a green jacket. Maybe this year he wins another major and buys the Beverly Hillbillies truck. More important, Watson became a father last year when he and his wife adopted an infant son. On the course, he'll keep playing his way - and add at least one victory - plus a win in the Presidents Cup.

What will Rickie do?

Rickie Fowler won his first PGA Tour title last year, finally living up to the hype. He wins his second, at least, this year. And he'll continue to inspire children, teens and, well, adults, to wear head-to-toe orange. Last year his facial appearance conjured up thoughts of Capt. Jack Sparrow. The thinking here is that he'll be no pirate and keep his upper lip, lower chin and the rest of his jaw hairless.